Castro could be arrested if he visits Chile: Chilean government

SANTIAGO (AFP) - Cuban President Fidel Castro could face arrest if he visits Chile, a Chilean government spokesman warned.

Spokesman Francisco Vidal, asked about the possibility Cuban exile groups could press for Castro to be arrested on human rights charges, allowed: "that's a new process ... we have seen it with Pinochet."

Pinochet, who ruled Chile with an iron first from 1973-1990 was detained in London for 503 days starting October 16, 1998, when British courts accepted an international warrant for his arrest based on alleged crimed against humanity. He is now at home in Chile facing legal action.

Vidal added: "What is key here is that (Castro's) decision to leave (his) country is his, not that of a government that is receiving him, and it is a political judgment call for that head of state, who knows there could be an international arrest warrant issued for him."

"There is no (issue of) jurisdiction for someone who is accused in an international court of human rights-related crimes," Vidal added.

The question of a possible Castro visit in the near future arose as Chile's communist leader, Gladys Marin, was seriously ill and seen as near death. Marin, 63, returned to Chile in December after getting medical treatment in Cuba for a brain tumor.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=...ro_050216205525

Cuba-Reiseinfos
avenTOURa